Pine County adopts restriction on retail display of low‑potency hemp edibles, compliance tied to county registration renewal

Pine County commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s low‑potency hemp edible retail sale ordinance that will require businesses that do not have an age‑restricted primary product offering (for example, convenience stores) to keep such products behind the counter or in a controlled, nonpublic area.

Kelly Schroeder, the county administrator, said the change responds to public concern about youth access and the similarity of hemp beverages and edibles to other products on open shelves. “If the business does not have a primary product offering that’s age restricted…the store must either store those beverages behind their counter or in a controlled area that’s not accessible to the general public,” Schroeder said.

County staff and elected officials discussed implementation timing and administrative logistics. Laura Smetna, representing the City of Pine City, and Mary Lindala, the county auditor/treasurer, explained that county registrations are tracked by the auditor’s office and that compliance could be made due at each business’s county registration renewal date. The board clarified the amendment will reference county registration renewals so the auditor’s office can notify affected retailers; Schroeder suggested January 1, 2027 as a backstop date for compliance where appropriate.

A motion to adopt the clarified language was moved and seconded and the board approved the amendment; one commissioner recorded an abstention. The transcript shows the board asked staff to add language that the ordinance be complied with by the business’s next county registration renewal or Jan. 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.

What’s next: The auditor’s office will notify registered retailers of the change and the compliance timeline tied to county registration renewals.